About this time each year (around my birthday), I reassess the things that are important to me and where I am on life’s highway.
As a gauge, I look at what my values are, what progress I have made over the last year, and figure out if I am still holding true to them. I also look at society in general to see what has changed (for better or worse), and what I as an individual can influence.
So what is my current assessment? Well, I still hold true to my values and main goal of lowering personal and my family’s consumption and emissions, and to educate others, whatever form that may take from here on in. I believe I am still on track.
As for society, it feels like everyone around me is scrambling for a seat on the express train that is hurtling towards the edge of a cliff. Even those clever enough who want to avoid disaster are getting sucked along slowly by the train’s forward momentum. It seems inevitable that the cliff’s edge is approaching faster and faster, but no one else can see it.
All I can do is put on my own brakes and hope they (whoever they may be) hold on long enough so that the train driver (whoever or whatever form that takes) can wake up to apply their own, or at least enough passengers realise that they are in peril and pull the emergency brake chain.
So my pledge to you is that I will keep doing what I do, write about what I write, on this blog, my podcasts, and by other mediums, any chance I get. Hopefully not boring you all to tears in the process (If I am boring, I hope someone lets me know!).
However, I think it is not only time to continue with the small, individual actions like we have been doing, but also time for very big, and bold actions. To that end, my daughter Amy and I am going to attend the Bill McKibben Do The Math tour Down Under, when it comes to Melbourne on Friday 7th June. Date and ticket informations at this link. Currently politicians won’t listen and act, so lets see what Bill has to offer us as an method of action. I do like the cut of this mans jib.
Onwards and upwards, as they say!
It appears Melbourne is the only port of call. What a shame. I will have to follow from afar. And yes I like the cut of this mans jib as well.
Tour dates for Bill McKibben
Sydney 4th June
Canberra 5th and 6th June
Melbourne 7th June
Brisbane 9th June
Unfortunately, all on the East Coast.
Cheers
I do not know how I missed this but thanks so much Michael – will follow through first thing in the morning and see if I can get tickets to the Brisbane one.
As a person living in a state where “Coal is good for Kentucky”, I have to go very far sometimes to even begin to find support. (Mountain top removal…I cry every time.) After living in Texas for a long time, I learned to better understand the whole “Energy” Corporate way of viewing things and yes, it’s scary. I try and live very simply and not judge too much but my goodness, how many of us can keep our heads in the sand for much longer!
And no, you are not boring!
Jenn
Thanks Jenn! I do wonder sometimes.
Gav x
I read this when you first posted it, but came back to comment as I found this post really spoke to me! I loved your train analogy, and it really echoes the frustration that I feel (as do many others of us) in regards to mankind’s “dig your head in the sand” approach to climate change.
It’s encouraging to see that concern for environmental sustainability is becoming more mainstream, but the current response definitely has to be amplified by a huge amount to even slow down the course we’ve set ourselves on. It seems to be an impending catastrophe of such magnitude that calls for a fundamental shift in every aspect of our lives- from food to energy to social relationships…
I think for now, all we can do is keep working away at encouraging other people in our lives to join us in this SHIFT, while trying to implement this shift as we understand it in our own lives. And maintaining connections with the other small- and big-time activists out there who feel the same way is so important. I think that’s where blogs like yours come in, it makes me feel so encouraged to know that there’s other like-minded people out there doing their bit, and I also find a lot of what you write about very educational. Keep it up 🙂
Hi Sonia. I just hope that people shift into gear sooner rather than later.
Also, thanks for the feedback. I am humbled.
Gav x